20 New Mexico Water Systems Exceed Federal Lead Standard – Associated Press
A system that provides drinking water for a Santa Fe hospital is among those in New Mexico where testing has turned up elevated levels of lead.
An Associated Press analysis of data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New Mexico Environment Department found that 20 small water systems across the state have exceeded the federal lead standard at least once in the last five years.
Nationally, nearly 1,400 water systems serving 3.6 million Americans have exceeded the federal standard at least once between Jan. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2015.
In New Mexico, the systems include St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, elementary schools in Santa Fe and Quemado and the state prison in Roswell. Other private systems that serve neighborhoods in rural areas also are on the list.
Electricity-Rate Increase Plan Spurs Protest In New Mexico – The Associated Press
Environmental activists are staging a protest in Santa Fe as state utility regulators consider a proposed 14 percent rate increase by New Mexico's largest electric utility.
Public hearings began Monday on the proposal from Albuquerque-based Public Service Company of New Mexico to increase annual revenues by $124 million. The environmental group New Energy Economy rallied about 50 people under a morning drizzle to protest PNM's plan outside the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
Consumer advocates object to PNM's new ownership stake at the Palo Verde Nuclear Station in Arizona along with investments in pollution-control equipment at the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station. PNM says its investments are cost-effective.
PNM also wants to revamp customer bills as it seeks to ensure recovery of infrastructure spending amid declines in anticipated energy sales.
United Airlines Changes May Affect Southeastern New Mexico – The Associated Press & The Hobbs News-Sun
United Airlines plans to use larger aircraft in southeastern New Mexico and that could mean higher subsidy payouts from the city of Hobbs and Lea County.
The Hobbs New-Sun reports it was announced at a recent Lea County Commission meeting United Airlines plans to retire 50 passenger Embraer EMB145 aircraft that currently serve the Lea County Regional airport. The jets that would replace the older aircraft both carry around 70 passengers.
But these changes could create some issues if the number of fliers continues to fall as it has for the past few years. Hobbs and Lea County supply a subsidy to ensure the airline does not lose money operating the flight between Hobbs and Houston.
The subsidy provides a "no--loss" guarantee to the airlines for operating the flights.
Utility Regulators To Begin Hearings On Proposed Rate Hike - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
Utility regulators are launching three weeks of hearings Monday to decide if Public Service Company of New Mexico can charge customers a controversial rate hike of nearly 15 percent.
The Albuquerque Journal reports environmental and consumer groups have opposed the plan as an attempt to push more rate responsibility from industrial and institutional customers to residential and commercial users.
Public Service Company of New Mexico says the new revenue will pay for electric system investments it's made since the last rate hike was approved in 2010.
Public comments were heard Thursday. Few attended, but those who did mostly spoke against the utility's proposals.
Reports Of Sexual Assault And Harassment At UNM Triple – Albuquerque Journal
Reports of sexual assault and harassment at the University of New Mexico triple from 2014 to 2015.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that university administrators attribute that growth to efforts around educating students and encouraging them to come forward with complaints.
The Journal found 138 people filed Title IX complaints in 2015, up from 46 reports in 2014. That’s higher than many regional universities of similar size.
Heather Cowan, who oversees UNM’s compliance with the federal Title IX law, says that increase indicates more people understand they have options for reporting.
The Department of Justice is conducting an investigation into how UNM handles reports of sexual assault and harassment.
Green Chile Club Founder Working To Hand Out Refunds – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
The founder of a mail-order green chile club says he has every intention of getting people their money back since the business never heated up.
Jaime Dubuar Dean said Sunday that he is working on securing capital to give out refunds and that his Green Chile Club owed shipments to dozens of subscribers.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported the accusations against Dean.
He told The Associated Press that he suspended all shipments in December when it became clear his subscriber base was not big enough.
Dean says he owes about 80 customers between $35 and $100 each, depending on if they had signed up to receive chile for one or three months.
New Mexico Lawmaker Sued By Former Campaign Manager - The Daily Times, Associated Press
A former campaign manager is suing New Mexico state Rep. Doreen Wonda Johnson over allegations of missed pay.
The Farmington Daily Times reports that Keegan King is asking for unspecified damages for breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other violations.
In the suit filed in January, King alleges that Johnson offered to pay more than $13,000 plus reimbursements in March 2014 and then an additional $13,000 a month later.
Johnson was campaigning for the District 5 seat, which includes portions of McKinley and San Juan counties.
According to King, Johnson only paid him $3,000 after she won the election.
House Democratic Campaign Committee spokesman Daniel Marzec says Johnson would not comment on the lawsuit because she has not seen it.
King also declined to comment.
Doña Ana County Treasurer Pleads Not Guilty To Charges - Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press
Doña Ana County Treasurer David Gutierrez is pleading not guilty to charges related to public corruption.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that court records indicate that Gutierrez's attorney filed a waiver of arraignment, allowing Gutierrez to formally plead not guilty.
A grand jury indicted him last month, leaving him to face one of three possible violations of the state's statute on ethical principles of public service.
He is charged with using public office to obtain personal benefit or failure of a public official to disclose a conflict of interest or a lack of integrity.
In a separate hearing, a grand jury last month formally accused Gutierrez of corruption in office or gross immorality by a public official.
If found guilty, he could be removed from office.
Lawsuit: Driver Unlawfully Arrested After Medical Episode – Associated Press
A man who says he suffered a medical episode on his way to work has filed a federal lawsuit accusing an Albuquerque police officer of denying him treatment and unlawfully arresting him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Gary Martinez, who is suing the Albuquerque Police Department, the city and an APD officer, says the charge was later dismissed when the district attorney's office dropped prosecution.
According to the lawsuit, Martinez was driving to work in a vehicle that had an ignition interlock, a breath-testing device that prevents a car from starting if alcohol is detected in a driver's system.
He says an officer who responded to the scene after he lost consciousness ordered him to undergo several field sobriety tests before arresting him, and the officer kept emergency workers from examining him.
The case was filed in federal court Thursday.